Changing defenses keep ASU on alert

MONROE, La. -- Louisiana-Lafayette abandoned its man coverage, Georgia State split its defensive ends out wider than the offensive tackles, and Appalachian State wouldn't stop moving around before the snap.

It seems every week Arkansas State Coach Blake Anderson and his offensive staff spend the days leading up to a game preparing for one thing, then see something entirely different after kickoff.

"It's not so much the schemes are completely foreign," Anderson said. "It's just not what we've seen from them. We just go into every game thinking we'll figure out what they're doing in the first quarter and adjust."

By most gauges, the Red Wolves have done just fine. Heading into today's 2 p.m. game at Louisiana-Monroe (1-8, 0-5), ASU (6-3, 5-0) has averaged 44.6 points in five conference games and is three victories away from an undefeated Sun Belt Conference season for just the second time in school history.

It hasn't been easy, as Anderson, offensive coordinator Walt Bell and offensive line coach Glen Elarbee spend the opening moments of either half trying to decide what they're looking at.

"We have seen some very unique things," Bell said. "We've seen the last four or five defenses play really out of character. And, yeah, in terms of playing, that's hard.

ASU raced to a 34-14 halftime lead over Louisiana-Lafayette on Oct. 20, then came out of halftime to see the Ragin' Cajuns had scrapped their man coverage for what quarterback Fredi Knighten called a "trap" technique that uses another defensive back to help on a receiver. ASU sputtered through the second half but held on for a 37-27 victory.

A week later, Georgia State used its ends as pass rushers more than what Anderson had seen. Last week, Appalachian State waited as long as possible to get a defensive call in before moving into its alignment.

The charge of recognizing the curveballs falls on Knighten and center Devin Mondie, who played every snap against Appalachian State on a tender ankle.

"It's always a challenge for me," Mondie said. "But that's my job, and I've got to do it and do it well."

Anderson doesn't expect it to change, but a simple solution might have been found in the second half of last week's victory at Appalachian State. ASU kept 32 of its 44 second-half plays on the ground while simplifying its own plan to focus on tempo.

With Knighten keeping or handing off on most plays in the final two quarters, it didn't matter much what the Mountaineers were doing.

The Red Wolves churned out 392 yards in the second half, with 239 coming on the ground, while outscoring the Mountaineers 23-6. It could be a formula through the final three regular-season games.

"It is a pretty good answer," Anderson said. "Get back to what we do well, things that we have a lot of reps at. Try to simplify it so it's simple for the quarterback."

Anderson and his offense are preparing for just about anything today. Louisiana-Monroe ranks near the bottom of the Sun Belt in most defensive categories, including 43.6 points allowed per conference game, which ranks last, and 261.6 rushing yards allowed per game, which is eighth.

The Warhawks still provide a tough challenge, considering their base 3-3-5 alignment is unlike any team on the Red Wolves' schedule.

"It's a lot like Star Wars," Bell said. "They're coming from all over the place."

Knighten, who is averaging 222.8 yards of offense in four games since returning from an injury, said the last five weeks of curveballs have prepared ASU for anything. No matter what the Warhawks throw at them today, Knighten said he feels the Red Wolves won't be caught off guard considering the past five weeks of adjustments.

"I think all of that has helped us," Knigthen said. "We've been able to see what doesn't work, go to the drawing board, put something else up and roll with it."

Sports on 11/14/2015